Springfield, Mass. - September 20, 2025 - The Springfield College men's soccer team scored five unanswered goals in the second half to defeat Emerson College, 5-3, in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both sides.

Springfield improved to 5-2-0, 1-0-0 NEWMAC, while Emerson fell to 3-2-2, 0-1-0 NEWMAC. Springfield, which recorded five or more goals in a game for the second time this fall, posted all five of its goals today in the second half. The last time the Pride scored five goals in a half of soccer also came against the Lions back on September 18, 2021.

Parker Thornton (Malden, Mass.) led Springfield's offensive attack with two goals and an assist, while Thomas Quiterio (Ludlow, Mass.), Robby Herrera (Islandia, N.Y.) and Gianni Pazvakavambwa (Franklin, Mass.) all added second half goals for the Pride as well. Kyler Maira tallied two of Emerson's three goals on the day.

Emerson took a 2-0 lead in the second half after Maira found the next for the second time for the visitors. About seven minutes after Emerson went ahead 2-0, Springfield scored twice in a span of less than a minute as Pazvakavambwa put the Pride on the board before Quiterio found the equalizer. Morgan Thibodeau (Carrabassett Valley, Maine) and Thornton set up Pazvakavambwa's marker before Jared Kelly (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) hit the crossbar setting up Quiterio's finish to tie the game.

In the 73rd minute, Connor Policarpio (Bristol, Conn.) blasted the ball at Asa Roberts, who made the save, but Herrera was on the doorstep to put the go ahead goal in the back of the net. Then three minutes later, Pazvakavambwa found a wide open Thornton, who finished his shot past Roberts for the 4-2 advantage. The scoring barrage wasn't over as in the 79th minute Talan Bradley (South Kingstown, R.I.) set up Thornton to make it 5-2. A quick answer by Emerson off a long shot from outside the box accounted for the 5-3 final.

Emerson held a 17-12 edge in shots and a 7-2 differential in corner kicks.

Pazvakavambwa recorded his first collegiate goal, assist and point in today's win, while Noah Pote (Washington, Conn.) made six saves for Springfield to push his record to 5-2 between the pipes this fall.

Springfield will travel to Vassar on Tuesday for a non-conference bout at 4:00 pm.

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